Students on the Spectrum
and their Families:
10 Key Questions to Ask Your
Post-secondary Institution
Service Providers
Roger Pugh, M.A.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Achieve Program
Before we begin:
http://achieveprogram.siuc.edu/10Questions.pptx or at
http://achieveprogram.siuc.edu/10Questions.ppt
You can download a literature review and more detailed
analysis of the questions we cover tonight at:
http://achieveprogram.siuc.edu/10QuestionsASD.doc or at
http://achieveprogram.siuc.edu/10QuestionsASD.pdf
Students with ASD:
Non-homogeneous group
The “umbrella” includes:
“Classic” Autism
Asperger’s Syndrome
Pervasive Developmental Disorder (NOS) (referred to as
atypical autism)
PDD
includes Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
Rett Syndrome
Students with ASD:
General Characteristics:
Communication
Social interactions
pragmatics
Stereotypical behaviors
both verbal and non-verbal
theory of mind, social
both actions and routines
Students with ASD:
Comprise a growing segment of the population
Prevalence rising 10% to 17% each year over the past decade
Current estimates place prevalence in the population at close
to 1 in 100 individuals (higher for boys, lower for girls)
About 50% of students with ASD but without Intellectual
disabilities (ID) pursue post-secondary education
The numbers of students with ASD (with or without ID) who
choose some kind of post-secondary option is growing every
year.
Students with ASD encounter problems with
Transition
in high school
as they prepare for post-secondary education
once they are in post-secondary education
when they leave post-secondary education
Accommodations
few specialized post-secondary programs
services are not comprehensive or integrated enough
lack of research on best practices
Coordinated services
lack of coordinated transition services from H.S. to P.S.
few joint policies
insufficient training and support
poor communication and interagency cooperation
So, good luck with that!
Let’s take a second and review:
Educational systems struggle with
Transition
Services
Communication
So, good luck with that!
Let’s take a second and review:
Educational systems
Students with ASD
Transition
Routines
Services
Social Pragmatics
Communication
Communication
It is no wonder that families of and students with ASD get
frustrated with what choices you have. You have seen this
set of problems before!!!
What next?
Campus climate
Five stages of grief applied to colleges looking at students
with ASD:
Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance
What next?
Things are getting better!
Five stages of grief applied to colleges looking at students
with ASD:
Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance
Add to it: Recruitment
which is where we are now!
QUESTION 1
What are we doing right now to prepare for the transition to
post-secondary education?
QUESTION 1
What are we doing right now to prepare for the transition to
post-secondary education?
Transition IEP team ----develop a list of realistic and attainable goals
Remediate executive functioning skills, develop cognitive strategies, follow
behavioral plans, implement technology for accommodations
Build self-regulation, efficacy, and advocacy skills----reinforce skills across settings
Research all options that are available to you
Coordinate your students’ aspirations and goals with your school counselor, IEP
team, community service providers, and potential college matches
QUESTION 2
What can I do, myself, personally, now, to ready myself for
this transition?
QUESTION 2
What can I do, myself, personally, now, to ready myself for
this transition?
Self-regulation
Self-efficacy
Self-advocacy
Independence
Involvement
QUESTION 3
What are my options for post-secondary education?
QUESTION 3
What are my options for post-secondary education?
Life skills training programs
College living experience programs
Trade or technical schools
Junior colleges
Four year colleges or universities
Specialized schools or programs
QUESTION 3
What are my options for post-secondary education?
Variety of options:
Exclusive to inclusive models
Center-based to campus-based models
Independent service to integrated service models
Publically-funded to privately-funded models
QUESTION 4
Why, how, when, and with whom should I schedule a visit?
QUESTION 4
Why, how, when, and with whom should I schedule a visit?
No substitute for firsthand experience---really soak it in. You will get a feel for the
campus climate we talked about earlier
Through the new student admissions or campus visit office
During your junior and senior years
See a representative from the disability office, the specialized program, the
departments you are interested in, housing, financial aid, and if possible, a
student who perhaps has a similar background and can speak to his or her
experience.
Get all of your questions answered. After all, you might be investing a hundred
thousand dollars with these people!
QUESTION 5
What is the application process like for most colleges? Is it
any different for students with ASD? What information is
typically needed in order to process an application for
admission? What information is typically needed to process
an application for the office of disability support services or
for a specialized program?
QUESTION 5
Application?
Open or selective admissions
Academic or holistic criteria
Process the same for all students, EXCEPT…….
Specific requirements for documentation vary
Contact in advance
QUESTION 6
What are the admission criteria? Are there any circumstances
in which students with ASD may still be eligible even if they
do not meet the admission criteria?
QUESTION 6
What are the admission criteria? Are there any circumstances
in which students with ASD may still be eligible even if they
do not meet the admission criteria?
Traditional admissions criteria:
ACT
High School transcript
Class rank
Conditional admissions
Specialized recommendations for admission
QUESTION 7
What kinds of services/programs are typically offered for
students with ASD? Is there a fee for Student Support
Services at most colleges?
QUESTION 7
What kinds of services/programs are typically offered for
students with ASD? Is there a fee for Student Support
Services at most colleges?
Services vary---there are a few, but growing number of programs.
Typical offerings:
Braille or enhanced print texts, electronic texts, audiobooks, notetakers,
assistive technology, wheelchair accessibility, sign language interpreters,
test proctoring, housing access, personal attendants for students with
mobility impairments, access to available on campus resources, and
referrals for counseling, tutoring, and other campus services.
Specialized programs may provide many of the previously listed services,
and:
Supervision, mentoring, social skills training, counseling, tutoring,
advocacy, remediation, organizational assistance, and other services.
QUESTION 8
What other questions should I ask my college provider?
QUESTION 8
What other questions should I ask my college provider?
How many students total are served by your disability office?
How many students with (your specific disability) are served by the disability
office?
How many full-time staff are employed at the disability office?
Does your school provide an additional or separate program of specialized
services for me?
How do you provide or DO you provide (list the accommodation: test proctoring,
tutoring, audiobooks, notetaking, remediation, supervision, computer resources,
advocacy, organizational help, counseling, other services)?
QUESTION 8
What other questions should I ask my college provider?
What are your hours of operation?
What information specifically do I need to provide to receive services through this
office?
Does the school allow for substitutions or waivers for certain academic
requirements?
What is the average class size?
What is the student to staff ratio on this campus?
QUESTION 9
What are my choices for housing?
QUESTION 9
What are my choices for housing?
Some schools are commuter schools
Most four year colleges and universities are residential schools
On and off campus choices
On campus
A variety of housing areas
Single or roommate
Specialized programs
Unique housing environments
QUESTION 10
In my experience, what is the biggest challenge for students
with ASD at the college level?
QUESTION 10
In my experience, what is the biggest challenge for students
with ASD at the college level?
TRANSITION
You can access this powerpoint at:
http://achieveprogram.siuc.edu/10Questions.pptx or at
http://achieveprogram.siuc.edu/10Questions.ppt
You can download a literature review and more detailed
analysis of the questions we cover tonight at:
http://achieveprogram.siuc.edu/10QuestionsASD.doc or at
http://achieveprogram.siuc.edu/10QuestionsASD.pdf